For the second year in a row Fermanagh bowed out to Tyrone at the semi final stage of the McKenna Cup but it was the manner of the performance that most frustrated Declan McCusker.

“The start of the second half especially was the worst I ever remember us playing. In terms of giving the ball away we were terrible and you just can’t afford to do that. I know we rallied a bit at the end but once they went seven up it was going to be very difficult to get that back.”

The Ederney man paid tribute to Tyrone’s clinical play and says it is something that Fermanagh must bring to their game on a more consistent basis.

“They got a lot of men behind the ball, 13 most of the time yet up front they took their chances. It’s disappointing because we played so poorly especially at the start of the second half and we are going to have to look at that and try and make sure we don’t have any periods like that again.”

Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath stated after the game that Fermanagh would have to get over the psychological hurdle that he believes they have against certain teams. When it was put to McCusker that beating a a top tier side was something that this squad of players needed do to reach the next level, the wing half back accepted the assertion but went further; “I suppose the best result we have got against one of the top teams was the draw with Tyrone last season in the league when we needed it. And yes, we need to beat these teams if we want to improve but we have to do a whole lot more than just beat them if we want to get to where we want to get to it. It is not just about winning one off games, but it is early in the season and we have a lot of work ahead of us,” he stated.

Fermanagh’s league schedule gets underway on Sunday week with a trip to Down and McCusker is confident that another positive campaign can be achieved; “The league is of course going to be very competitive, just like it was last year and I think for every team every game is going to be winnable and every game is going to loseable so from that point you could end up at either end of the table but we are confident that we can be at the right end.”

There is a sense that this year is pivotal for this Fermanagh squad. Pete McGrath is in his fourth year and there is no doubt that significant improvement has been made over that period but there is an acceptance among all involved that now is the time to deliver even more.

And McCusker revealed that the confidence, is as always, high within the group.

He said: “There is a brilliant spirit within in the team. Everyone gets on really well and that has not changed over the years.

“We are just going to put the head down now and work towards the Down game and on getting the win there. The confidence is still there and we are looking forward to the league.”

While there was despondency after the Tyrone game at what was a poor performance a win against their manager’s home county will have sights firmly set on promotion out of the second division.